Knitting machine



Jan. 19, 1932. w. BOCK KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12. 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR WLLMI/m 130016,

By W I ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES Jan. 19, 1932. w, BO'CK 1,841,704

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12. 1927 7 $h89tS-Sh69t 2 FIRE E.

INVEN TOR.

Jan. 19, 1932. w. BOCK 1,841,704

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12. 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTO Mfilhelm B0 ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 19, 1932. w. BOCK 1,841,704

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. XL

nn. m] W 2 .1 m1

WITNESSES 1) S INYENTOR: Vlfilhelm Bock,

. v r if I v I Jan. 18, 1932. w. BocK 1,841,704

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG: Jfli E 72 73a, '7 WITNESSES I INVENTOR:

5i I/VLliwlm B0016,

' 19, 1932. w. BocK KNITTING MACHINE Jan.

Filed Sept. 12. 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INYENTOR Wilhelm B0020, BY M WTTORNEYS.

m 7 m5 3. N A 0 n fl M Jan. 19, 1932. w. B CK 1,841,704

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1927 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG:- I'll/l WITNESSES INVENTOR:

T/VL'Lhalm 50026 BY W ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT foFelcE WILHELM BOCK, O15 LANSDALE, FENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO DEXDALE HOSIERY MILLS, OF LANSDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA KNITTING MACHINE Application filed September 12, 1927. Serial No: 21 8,971.

This invention relates to lmitting. ma chines, more particularly to the flat or .straight type (as distinguished from circular knitters) wherein the needles are moved en -masse incidental to formation of the fab- 1 ric loops, and wherein the fashioning or shaping of the stocking blanks is efi'ected through successive transfer of the loops between neighboring needles adjacent the edges of the fabric. W V In connection with, such machines I aim to enable operation at greater speeds than pos As hereinafter fully described, I attain the above advantages by provision in lieu of the reciprocating elements usually employed, of

direct-coordinated rotary means to actuatethe knitting instrumentalities during ordinary knitting as well as during the periods when fashioning is practiced.

-viewed in the direction of the arrows In the drawings herewith, Figf I is a more or less diagrammatically represented part front view of a knitting machine conveniently embodying my invention.

Fig. II is a transverse sectional view of the machine in accordance with the arrows II--II in Fig. I.

a III is a fragmentarydetail elevation III-III in Fig. II.

"Figi. IV is adiagrammatic detail illustration showiiig the cooperation between the knitting elements at the time of yarn feed I igs. V, VI, VII. VIII and IX, are similar views showing following sequential steps incident to loop formation.

Fig. X is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. V.

Fig. XI is a View similar to the im1nediate= ly preceding showing the same parts positxoned in accordance with Fig. VI.

Fig. XII is a detail sectional view through the sinkerbed, the needle bar and contiguous parts, showingmore particularly the means for actuating'the needle beard presser bar and the knockover bits.

Fig. XIII is a sectional view taken locally, as indicated by the arrows XIIIXIII in Fig. XII.

Fig. XIV is a cross sectional view of the machine, taken as indicated by the arrows XIV-XIV in Fig. I, featuring the means whereby the size of the fabric loops is varied,

only .those parts in and directly contiguous to theplane of the section being illustrated.

' igs. XV and XVI are diagrammatic views showing how the plane of the needle bar movement is shifted relative to the sinkers, by the mechanism of Fig. XIV, to vary {she amount of yarn incorporated in the fabric oops.

Fig. XVII is a sectional view taken locally in accordance with a the arrows XVII- ,XVII in Fig. XIV. i

Fig. XVIII is a cross sectional view of the machine, taken as indicated by the arrows XVIIIXVIII in- Fig. I, and directed more particularly to the illustration of the fashioning mechanism, here again only those parts occupying or being contiguous to the plane of section being illustrated.

Fi s. XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XX XXV, XXVI and XXVII, are diagrannnatic illustrations showing successive steps in the transfer operation.

The machine herein illustrated embodies a number of similar knitting sections respectively designated 28 in Fig. I, and end sections 29 (whereof only one is shown) for the driving mechanism and mechanism for limiting the movement of the transfer points during fashioning. Since the various elements constituting the knitting sections 28 are iden-' the form of an arm sustained by a pivot 36 at the rear. The forward end of the guide support 35 is in turn -engaged for horizontal sliding in a transverse notch 37 of a fixed bar 38 extending longitudinally of themachine. Normally, the guide support is retained in the position illustrated by a keeper handle 39, which, as-shown in Fig. III,

5 is swingable about a stud 40 at the underside of the bar 38 so that the carrier head3l may be lowered on the pivot 36 to enable access to the needles N when this is required for inspection or replacement, said needles preferably being of the spring beard type. At opposite sides of its lower end, the depending tongue 32 ofithe needle bar carrier 31 is equipped with laterally-projecting rollers 41, 15 42 adapted to be engaged respectively, during different phases of the knitting, by grooved cam disks 43, 44 set, side by side, upon the constantly rotating main cam shaft 45 that extends lengthwise of the machine and is journalled, with capacity for endwise shifting (for purposes explainedlater) in suitable bearings afforded by the transverse machine frames 46, 47 and 48. As shown in Fig. II, the groove 43a of the cam disk43 has two diametrically-opposite diversions so that two fabric courses are knit by the needles N during each rotation of the shaft 45. The

cam 44 is used during fashioning and its groove (not sh wn) is diverted at one point only so that s itch transfer is effected but onceduring each rotation thereof.

With the needles N cooperate sinkers and dividers respectively .desig'natedS .and D (Figs. II, V, X and XI), which, after usual practice, are arranged in alternation and guided for transverse reciprocationrelative to the needles N, in a grooved hed50 (Figs. II and XII) supported upon a fixed longitudinal angle rail 51 of the machine. The

40 sinkers S and dividers D have the usual yarn sinking notches 52, and in the present instance are,provided with upstanding butts 53- in addition to the customary depending tail butts 54. Forward motion is imparted to the 45 sinkers S and dividers D by individually as- 'sociated jacks 55, 56, adaptedto engage the tail butts 54, said jacks being mounted for independent swingingimovement ona common fixed fulcrum axis 57 suitably supported in by the angle railQ51 aforementioned. At the regions of their fulcrum axis 57, the jacks have rearward projections 55a which lie in the path of spiral vanes 5858a of a rotor 59 fixed on a shaft 60 with suitable journal support at the rear of the machine. It is to be particularly noted from Figs. X and XI that the spiral vanes 5858a of the rotor 59 are of such linear extent as to comprehend the entire series of sinkers S associated with each needle bar 31, and furthermore that they are oppositely pitched as a consequence of which the sinker jacks 55 aresequentially moved in waves having their origin alternately at opposite ends of the needle bed for action in syn'chronism with longitudinal reciprocatory movement of the yarn feeds F (Figs. I and II), the latter being secured to a common horizontal slide rod 62. Like the sinker jacks vider jacks 56 the spiral vanes 58. 58a of the rotor 59 are notched as at 64. .IIOWGVCI, in order to distribute the yarn Y (Figs. I and II) among the needles N after having been sunk by the sinkers S, the dividers D are simultaneously urged forward by their jacks 56 through engagement of the projections 56a of the latter by straight vanes 65a disposed on the rotor 59 intermediate the spiral vanes 58-. 58a. The return or rearward movement of the sinkers S and dividers D is induced by a longitudinal rotor vane 66 on an underlying shaft 67 also supported in suitable bearings of the machine frame, said rotor vane 66 engaging the forward edges of the depending tail butts 54 of theqsinkers S and dividers D as the shaft 67 rotates in the direction of the arrow in ,Fig. VII. The shaft 67 is revolved at twice the speed of the cam shaft 60 so that the withdrawal of the sinkers S and dividers D occurs immediately upon the passage of the spiral vanes 58, 58a of the rotor 59 from the active sphere of operation. For the purpose of urging the sinkers S and dividers D slightly forward (after having been first acted upon by the rotor vane 66) to restrain the knitted web from rising with the needles N as the latter are elevated to take new yarn Y, the machine is equipped with an auxiliary rotary actuating means in the form of a shaft 68 with oppositely disposed longitudinal rotor vanes 69, 69a, adapted to engage theupstanding butts 53 of the sinkers S and dividers D. The shaft 68 revolves in the direction of the arrow in Fig. IX, and is driven at the same speed as the rotor 59.

Incidental to the formation of the fabric loops, the spring beards of the needles N are closed by a presser bar 70, whereof the forward edge is suitably beveled top and bottom for the purpose indicated. As shown in Fig. XIII, the presser bar 70 is formed at opposite ends with rearward extensions 71 that are engaged in slideways 72 provided by the'sinker bed 50. Horizontal reciprocartory movement of the presser bar 70 toward and away from the needles N is induced by rotary disk cams 73 fixed on the shaft 67 previously mentioned, said cams having suitably configured face grooves 73a to engage rollers 74 projecting from the extensions 71 of said presser bar. To assist shedding of the fabric loops after their formation, the machine is. further equipped with knock-over bits B. As shown in Fig. XII these knock-.

over bits B are, in the present instance, anchored in the presser bar 7 O, althouglnif desired or found more convenient, they maybe carried by a separate support.

- In order to determine formation of larger or smaller loops for welting courses,- transfer courses, etc., at different points in the fabric produced by the machine, I provide the mechanism shown in Fig. XIV wherefrom it will be observed that the. sustaining pivot 36 for the needle .bar carrier support 35 is afforded by a short upright arm 7 5 fixed to a rock shaft 7 6 which is suitably journalled in the-frame work of the machine. Also fast on this shaft 76, is 9. depending arm 77 carrying at its lower end a roller 78 which is maintained in engagement with the periphery of a rotary cam disk 79 under the action of a "spring 7 7 a. ,The cam disk 79 is mounted on a shaft 80 located at a level beneath the main cam shaft 45, and has peripherai rises 81 of different depths, which, as they are succes-- sively brought into the province of the roller 78, cause corresponding shift-ings of the arm 77. Such movement is communicated to the needle bar carrier support 35so that the plane of needle movement is in a like degree shifted relative to the sinkers S2 The result of this actionis diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. XV and XVI; and it'is readily seen from these illustrations that more or less yarn Y is sunk as'the plane of needle movement is shifted between the limits indicated in full and dotted lines. Theerises 81 on the cam 79 are successively brol ight into-active position through intermittent picln ng, by a pawl 82, of a ratchet wheel 83also fast on the shaft 80. As shown, the pawl 82 is attached to the lower end of a slide 84 whichis actuated through engagement of a roller,84a ,at its lupper end with the cam groove 85 of a disk 86 fast on the main cam shaft 45. Theactivity of the pawl 82 is controlled by as rocket chain 87 equipped at intervals wit high links 88.. Lying in the path links 88,- is a finger 89 formed as an integral "part ofa lever 90 which is fulcftumed on a fixed axis 91 and subject to the ull of a tension spring'92. At .the end opposite the finger 89, the lever 90 provides a bearing 93 for the slide 84 which carries the pawl 82.

W'ith this arrangeinent, it will be apparent that the pawl 82 is permitted to pick the ratchet wheel 83 only when a high link 88 of {,the sprocket chain 87 passes beneath the finger 89. From Fig. XVII it will be noted that the 5 contacting surfaces of the roller 78 and the cam disk 7 9 are oppositely sloped or pitched.

\ Accordingly, shifting of the caiir disk 79 along the shaft 80 results in ,adj ustment of the needles N in respect to the sinkers S without affecting the amplitude of lateral movement under governance of said cam disk. To this end, the cam disk 79 is slidin ly mpuntedon the shaft 80 subject to guidance by a key 94 and in opposition to a spring 95, by an ad-. justing nut 96 engagingthe screw threaded of these high portion 97 of said shaft. As shown Fig.

--XVII, the spring 95 is encased in a sleeve 98 i.

that abuts a collar 99 on'the shaft 80.

During knitting of partially reinforced parts of a stocking, for example, the heel has peripheral depression's'101 and'isefi'ecv tive upon a roller arm.102 fast on the rock shaft 76 alongside the roller arm 77 previously referred to. The depressions 101 of the cam are so spaced as to determine,

during each course of the knitting, formation of larger fabric loops in the heel cheeks of the stocking (for thepurposes of accommo- 1 dating the added thickness of the reinforced yarn ordinarily used at these regions) than are formed in the intervening part of the 3 fabric. The cam disk 100 normally rotates free,.but when its operation is required, it is clutched with a collar 103 secured on the main cam shaft 45 through means including aspring-pulled shifter arm 104which is fulcrumed on a fixed axis 105 and has a roller 106 adapted to be engaged by a lateral lug 107 on the cam disk 79, see Fig. I. From Fig. XVI it is to be particularly noted that the upper web supporting edges as of the knock-v 95 ovenbits B are downwardly inclined toward their outer ends, the angle being such as to obviate strain as well as looseness in the yarn bights previously formed by the sinkers S as the fabric loops are drawn irrespective of the 109 lateral shifting of the needles N for the purpose of loop regulation in the manner above explained. In'othenwords, the slope at of the knock-over bits B compensates for difierent fixed vertical movement of the needles N as a otted line showings in Fig. XVI.

The means provided for fashioning is shown in Fig. XVIII as comprising vertical- 110 ly shiftable elements 110', which, at-their upper ends support, with capacity for endwise sliding, a pair of rods 111, 112 that extend in horizontal parallelism longitudinally of the machine, see Fig. I. The rods 111, 112 re- 11,5 spectively carry ,the blocks 113, 114 with narrowing point-s P whereby the fabric loops are taken from "needles N adjacent the ends of the respective series and transferred inwards to neighboriigg needles N in fashioning the web The e ements 110 are "sustained in swingable guides 115 fast-on a rock shaft 116 1 fulcrumed in bearings on the angle bar 51 i hereinbefore mentioned. A depending arm 117', also fixed on the shaft 116, at its lower end carries a roller 118 to ride'npon the undulating periphery of a narrowing cam 119 on the shaft 45 and it is held in contact with said cam by ,a spring 117a." Vertical move-" will be readily understoodfrom the full and d to the elements "110 through engagement of rollers 120 in a face groove 121 of the narrowing cam 119. Respectively associated with the elements 110 are elements 122 which are likewise, but independently, ,shiftableup and down in the guides 115 and equipped at their lower ends with rollers 123 to engage inner face grooves 124 of the narrowing cams. The elements 122 carry strippers 125, which, after the fabric loops have been transferred between adjacent needles N, descend upon the webto depress it to the level of the knock-over bits B, as shown in Fig. XXVI, and also to hold the same temporarily and prevent it from rising with the needles N as the latter are subsequently reelevated to yarn feeding position. As best understood from Fig. I, the elements 110 and 122 also carry rollers 120a and123a adapted to engage grooves in a disk 126, placed opposite the narrowing cam 119, on the shaft 45.

The groovesof the disk 126 are however cone centric and therefore do not impart motion to the elements 110 and 122 when the cam shaft occupies the normal position shown a? in the drawings. During the narrowing operation, the rods 111, 112 are gradually shifted toward each other by mechanism, comprehensively designated 127, located at the top of the end machine section 29, see Fig. I. The

no mechanism 127 may be of the kind ordinarily employed in stocking machines of the characterto which my inventionpertains, and essentially embodies a shaft 128 with oppositely screw threaded portions 129a, 1291) to cause relative approachbetween follower collars 130, 131 mounted thereon, said collars having lateral projections 132, 133 to engage screws 134, 135 adjustably set in the ends of the rods 11 1, 112. Actuation of the screw shaft 128' may be controlled by any suitable means known in the art. I

The driving mechanism within the end section 29 (Fig. I) of the machine includes an electric motor 136 having a sprocket-chain connection 137 with a transmission shaft 138 that extends horizontally between the transverse frames 46, 47 At the frame 47, the

- transmission shaft 138 carries a spur pinion sinker actuating 'rotor .59. The gear wheel 144 in turn communicates movement to a gear wheel 145 on an auxiliary transmission shaft 146. A similar gear wheel (not shown) on the auxiliary transmission shaft 146 drives a companion gear wheel 147 (Fig. I) on the ,on with the idler gear wheel 143 hereinbefore referred to. Another idler gear 152 (Fig. II)" in mesh with the idler gear 143 at the same time communicates motion to a pinion 153 on a shaf 154 having hearing at the rear of the machine in the transverse frames 46, 47. As

shown in Figs. I and II, the shaft 154 has secured upon it a grooyed helicoid cam wheel 155 engaging a roller 156 on a head 157 that is slidable back and forth on the shafts 60 and 146. The reciprocatbry motion of the head 157 is imparted, through a horizontal connecting rod 158 ,and a friction block shown in Fig. II, to the slide rod 62 which carries the yarn feeds F. Preparatory to each narrowing operation, the main cam shaft 45 is shiftedto the right (as considered in Fig. I) to the end that the clutch collar 142 is disconnected from the gear pinion 141. As a consequence, the sinker actuating rotor 59, the sinker retracting rotor shaft 67, the auxiliary sinker-advancing rotor shaft 68, and the shaft 154 of the yarn feed actuating cam 155 depending on the pinion 141 for motion, are all temporarily rendered idle during fashioning of the web. Shifting of the main shaft 45as aforesaid. is controlled by a sprocket chain 159 (Fig. I) with high links 1590: to successively engage rollers on the depending extre'mities of a tri-arm .160. This tri-arm 160 is fulcrumed to swing on a fixed axis 161 and its upright extremity carries a roller 162 engaging between spaced opposing thrust disks 163, 164 on the main cam shaft 45. In order that the machine may be operated manually for convenience in adjusting any of its parts, I "provide a longitudinally-extending shaft 165 with hand wheelstl66, said shaft carrying a gear wheel 167 in mesh with the gear wheel 140 on the main cam shaft 45, see Figs. I and II. L

Briefly described the operation of my invention is as follows :Referring to Figs.

IV to IX inclusive, I have shown the positions assumed by the instrumentalities con- ;cerned in the formation of "the fabric loops from the time the yarn Y is fed until the fab ricloops are formed. Thus in Fig. IV, the sinkers S and dividers D are fully retracted, the needles 'N fully elevated, and the presser bar 70 together with the knock-over bits B,

drawn back to the maximum extent. After traverse of the yarn feed F to lay the yarn Y at the, level of the notches 52 of the sinkers S, as shown inFig. IV, said sinkers are progresslvely moved forward by action of 65 acts upon the divider jacks 56 to simultaneously project the dividers D as a conse-' quence of which the'yarn Y is e ually distributed among the remaining nee les N, the latter condition being shown in Fig. VI. Immediately thereafter, the needles N are drawn downward, the sinkers Sand dividers D re tracted by the rotor vane 66 on the shaft 67, and the presser bar 70 concurrently advanced to close the needle beards, all as illustrated in Fig. VII. Fig. VIII shows the needles N depressed to the fullest'extent, and the bits B knocking the loops over the tops of'said needles. With the fabric loops now formed, the sinkers S and dividers D are slightly advanced by action of the rotor vane 69 on the shaft 68, as shown in Fig. IX, thereby to hold the knitted web W from rising with the needles N when thesame are restored to the elevated position for the next feeding of the yarn Y. The foregoing cycle is repeatedduring each course of the knitting, as will be readily understood by skilled knitters. During normal knitting, the main cam shaft occupies the position shown in Fig. I with the cam disks 43 actuating the needle bar carrier 31. When the size of the loops isto be varied the mechanism of Fig XlV is rendered active through pawling of the ratchet .wheel 83 on the shaft 80 under control of the sprocket chain 87, thereby bringing the high spots 81 of the cam 79 into the province of the roller 78 on the arm 77 in the manner previously explained. Loop enlargement for l the purpose of accommodating the reinforcing yarn in the heel cheeks ofa stocking is initiated through shifting of the cam disk 100 into contact with the clutch collar 103 on the main cam shaft 45 by the shifter arm 104 under control of the lateral lug 107 of the cam 7 9;. The fashioning phase of the knitting operation is initiated by passage of one of the high links 1590: of the chain 159 beneath the leading depending extremityof the tri-arm 160 so that the main cam shaft 45 is shifted to the right, the collar 142*being incidentally withdrawn to unclutch the gear pinion 141 thereby rendering the sinker advancing rotor 59; and the yarn feeds F idle. At the same time, the operation of the needle'bar carrier 31 is transferred tothe cam disk 44, and the elements 110 and 122 of the fashioning mechanism of Fig. XVIII. transferredto the cam disk 119. Such preparation results in the cooperation of the transfer elements, as shown in Figs. .XIX XXVII inclusive, whereto reference will now be had. In Fig. XIX the sinkers Sare fully retracted and idle, with the transfer points P poised above in readiness to descend into action. With rothe front-of the needles N, as shown in Fig.

shown in 'Fig. XXI. This isfollowed by concurrent descent of the needles N andthe points P by virtue of the shaping of the cam grooves in the disks 44, 119 so that the fabric loops previously held by the needles N are penetrated by the points P, see Fig. XXII;

The points P and the needles N thereupon rise I together as shown iri- F'ig. XXIII, the fabric loops being now positioned-on said points at a level well above the @to'psof the needles N. The points P then move away from the needles N as in Fig. XXIV At this stage in the cycle, the rods 1'11, 112 carrying the transfer points P are shifted by the screw mechanism '127 so that said transfer points are brought into registry with the needles N neighboring the ones from which the loops were taken previously. By action of the groove 121 of cam 119, the points P are thereupon once more brought into contact with the needles N as shown in Fig. XXV; and this is followed by descent of the strippers 125 under the action of the groove 124 of the cam 119 upon the vertical slide elements 122, as shown in Fig. XXVI, the web W being thereby stripped from the pointsP, for retainment by the needles N. In view of the detailed description already given it is deemed unnecessary to'recite the action of the driving mechanism. The shift of the feed F by which the yarn is laid, may be controlled by screw means (as exemplified by themechanism 127 in a manner common to fiat knitting machines and as well understood by skilled knitters. A

While have'shownbut one set of yarn feeds F it is of course to be understood that additional feeds are employed in actual practice, provisions being made in the racket 170 (Fig. II) p for extra slide rods 62 to carry suchadditional feeds.

tary parts to actuate the various instrumen talities concerned in formation of the fabric loops aswell as in transferring to fashion the web, the machinecan be operated at very much higher speeds than possible with machines heretofore designed for a similar purose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: i

1. In a knitting machineof the character described, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers, and a continuously revolving rotor having "a continuous spiral vane to actuate the sinkers. g 1 2. In a knitting machine of the character described, a series of needles, cooperating From the foregoing it will be seen that sinkers, a reciprocating yarn guide, and a rotor with oppositely-pitched continuous spiral vanes to progressively actuate the sinkers in synchronism with thesto and fro travel of r the 'yarn guide.

5. In a knitting machine of the character described, a series of needles cooperating sinkers with individually-associated jacks,

c and a revolving rotor having continuous spi-- ml vanes for imparting movement to the jacks to actuatet-he sinkers. t

6. In a'knitting machine of the character described, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers with individually-associated pivoted jacks,- and a revolving rotor having continuous spiral vanes for rocking the; jacks to actuate the sinkers. l A

7. In a' knitting machine of the character described, a series. of needles, cooperating sinkers with individually-associated jacks, a

reciprocating yarn guide, and'a revolving rotor having continuous spiral vanes for imparting movement to the jacks to progressively actuate the sinkersin synchronism with the to. and fro travel of the yarn ggide afore- ,said. 8. In a knitting machine of the character described, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers and dividers, and an actuating rotor with spiral and straight vanes co-active with the sinkers and dividers respectively.

9; Ina knitting machine of the character described, a series of needles cooperating sinkers and dividers, a reciprocating yarn feed; and rotarymeans includingspiral and straight vanes respectively serving to progressively advance the sinkers in synchro- 1 nism with the td and fro travel of the yarn feed and to subsequ ently advance the dividers en-ma'sse.

10. In a knitting machine of the character described, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers and dividers, a reciprocating yarn feedrand a iotor with aspiral vane to progressively advance the sinkers in synchronism with the to and fro travel of the yarn guide, and a straight vane to subsequently advance the dividers en-masse.

11. In aknitting'machine of the character described, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers and dividers with individually-associated jacks, a reniprocating yarn feed; "and a rotor with a spiral vane to engage the sinker jacks and thereby progressively ad- Vance the sinkers in synchronism with the to:

and fro travel of the yarn feed, the spiral edge described, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers, a reciprocating yarn feed, a rotor with a splral vane progressively advancing the sinkers in synchronism with the travel of the yarn feed to depress yarn between the needles, anda separate rotor with a straight vane for subsequently retracting the sinkers en nasse to permit drawing of. the fabric loops by the needles.

14. In a knitting machine of the character described, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers, means for advancing the sinkers to depress yarn between the needles, separate means for retracting the sinkers incidental to drawing of fabric loops by the needles, and separate rotary means for advancing the sinkers slightly to restrain the fabric as the needles are projected to take new yarn.

I 15. In a knitting machfnetof the character described, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers, rotary means for advancing the sinkers to depress yarn "between the needles, separate rotary means for retractin the sinkers incidental to drawing of the abric loops by the needles, and auxiliary rotary means for advancing the sinkers slightly to restrain the fabric as the needles are "projected to take new yarn. v

, 16. In a knitting machine of the character described, a series of needles; cooperating sinkers, rotary means for advancing the sinkers to depress yarn between the needles, separate rotary means for retracting the sinkers incidental to drawing of fabric loops by the needles, auxiliary rotary means for advancing the sinkers slightly to restrain the fabric as the needles are projected to take new yarn,-and drive means coordinating the several rotary means *aforesaid to bring about thesinker 7. In a ,itting machine of the character de cribed, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers, longitudinally arranged rotary? means for advancing the sinkers to depress yarn between the needles, separate rotary means for retracting the sinkers incidentalto drawing offabric loops by the needles, auxiliary notary means for advancingthe sinkers slightly to restrain the fabric as the needles are projected to take new yarn, the several ovements in the ordenspecified rotary means aforesaid revolving'saboutparallel axes, and driving means coordinating the axesto bring about the sinker movements in the order named.-

18. In a fiat knitting m'achine, a series of v needles, cooperating sinkers, and a rotor with acontinuous spiral vane for progressively advancing the sinkers to sink yarn between the needles. 19. In a fiat knitting machine, a series of needles, horizontally sliding cooperating sinkers having depending actuating butts, and separate means below the-plane of the sinkers for respectively engaging the depending butts of the latter from opposite directions to advance and retract the'sinkers incident to formation of fabric loops by the needles. i '20 In a flat knitting machine, a series of needles, horizontall sliding sinkers, means below the plane of t e sinkers for advancing them to depress yarn between the needles, separate means also below the plane of the sinkers for retracting them incident to drawing of fabricloops by the needles, and separate means above the plane of the sinkers foradvancing the sinkers slightly to restrain the fabric as the needles are projected to take new yarn. I p

21. In a flat lmitting machine, a series of needles, horizontally sliding sinkers, rotary means below the plane of the sinkers for advancing them to depress yarn between the needles, separate rotary means also" below the plane of the needles for retracting them incident to drawing "of fabric loops by the needles, and separate rotary means above the plane of the sinkers for advancing them slightly to restrain the fabric as the needles are projected totake new yarn.

22. In a flat knitting machine, a series of ieedles, horizontally sliding cooperating sinkers with-upward and downward actuating butts, means below the plane of the sinkers for engaging their depending butts respec- .tively from opposite directions to advance and retract the sinkers incident to formation of fabric loops by th needles, and separate means above the plane of the sinkers for engaging the upward sinker butts to slightlyadvance the sinkers for the purpose of restraining the fabric as the needles are projected to take new yarn.

23. In a flat knitting machine, a series of needles horizontally sliding cooperating sinkers'with upward and downward actuating butts, rotary means below the plane of the sinkers for engaging their depending butts at one side to advance the sinkers for depression of yarn between the needles, separate rotary means for engaging the opposite sides ofthe depending sinker butts in retracting I the sinkers as the fabric loops are being drawn by the needles, and separate rotary means above the plane of the sinkers for engaging their upward butts, thereby to advance the sinkers for the purpose of restraining the fabric as the needles are projected to take new yarn. r

24. In a flat knitting machine, a series of needles, cooperating sinkers, and a rotor for the sinkers rovolving continuously in one di one end of the machine and then at the other,

motion and thereby progressively advancing the sinkers in succession, beglnning first at in alternation, to form successive fabric alternately, to form successive fabric courses,

and the. other rotor acting directly sinkers, to retract them.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this sixth day of September, 1927.

. WILHELM BOOK.

upon the 

